Information processing device, information processing method, and program

ABSTRACT

There is provided an information processing device including an imaging section configured to image an object, a display section configured to display at least an icon for controlling the imaging section, an operation section configured to acquire a first operation and a second operation on the icon, and a controller configured to, when the operation section has acquired the first operation, set a timer in accordance with an operation amount of the first operation and change a display of the icon on the display section in accordance with a progress of the timer, and to, when the operation section has acquired the second operation or when the timer has expired, cause the imaging section to image the object.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/160,939 (filed on Jun. 15, 2011), which claims priority to JapanesePatent Application No. 2010455115 (filed on Jul. 7, 2010), which are allhereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, aninformation processing method, and a program. In particular, the presentdisclosure relates to an information processing device, an informationprocessing method, and a program for controlling an imaging process.

Nowadays, digital cameras for recording images as digital data arewidely used as one type of imaging device. Many digital cameras areequipped with displays for displaying information such as an image of anobject to be shot. In addition, PCs (Personal Computers), portableterminals, and the like are commonly equipped with cameras. In suchcases, information such as an image of an object to be shot by thecamera or the like is displayed on the display of the PC or the like.

Thus, there have been developed technologies for improving theoperability of a camera using a display as a touchscreen. For example,JP 2010-055598A discloses a technology for relating a plurality oftracing operations, which are performed on a touchscreen of a digitalcamera, to a plurality of imaging modes, and thereby allowing asimplified, intuitive imaging mode switch operation.

SUMMARY

When a user captures an image of himself with a camera, for example, atimer so-called self-timer) is commonly used. However, when a timer isused on a digital camera, there is a problem in that there would becomplex operations including a plurality of stages of operations such assetting a timer on a settings screen or the like and thereafter pressinga shutter button.

In addition, a camera mounted on a PC or the like is sometimes used forsending an image via a real-time communication means such as a chat. Insuch cases, exacting operations may be desired such as a readjustmentafter a timer is set or execution of an imaging process by stopping atimer before the timer expires. This makes the problem of the complexoperation for using a timer even more serious.

Nevertheless, the conventional technologies have merely replaced thedial or button functions with operations on a touchscreen as describedin JP 2010-055598A, and has not solved the aforementioned complexity ofthe timer setting operation.

In light of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide a novel andimproved information processing device, information processing method,and program that can freely control an imaging process through anintuitive operation.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is providedan information processing device including an imaging section configuredto image an object, a display section configured to display at least anicon for controlling the imaging section, an operating sectionconfigured to acquire a first operation and a second operation on theicon, and a controller configured to, when the operating section hasacquired the first operation, set a timer in accordance with anoperation amount of the first operation and change a display of the iconon the display section in accordance with a progress of the timer, andto, when the operating section has acquired the second operation or whenthe timer has expired, cause the imaging section to image the object.

According to the aforementioned configuration, both the setting of atimer for an imaging process and execution of the imaging process can becontrolled using a single icon. Further, as the length of the set timercan be visually perceived as the amount of the operation performed onthe icon, the imaging process can be freely controlled through anintuitive operation.

The icon may be a button. The first operation may be a first dragoperation on the button, and the second operation may be a pressingoperation on the button.

The operation amount may be a distance of a movement of the button onthe display section caused by the first drag operation. The controllermay change a display position of the button on the display section alonga direction of the first drag operation in accordance with the progressof the timer.

The controller may display a remaining time of the timer on the displaysection as a path of the movement of the button on the display sectioncaused by the first drag operation.

The imaging section may capture a moving image of the object, and thecontroller may set a timer for a remaining time until a start ofcapturing the moving image and a timer for a duration time of thecapturing in accordance with the distance of the movement of the buttonon the display section caused by the first drag operation.

The information operating section may acquire a second drag operation onthe button as a third operation, the second drag operation having adirection differing from that of the first drag operation, and thecontroller may change a parameter set for the imaging section inaccordance with a distance of a movement of the button on the displaysection caused by the second drag operation.

The icon may be a button. The first operation may be a first pressingoperation on the button with a pressing force whose magnitude is greaterthan or equal to a predetermined value, and the second operation may bea second pressing operation on the button with a pressing force whosemagnitude is less than the predetermined value. The operation amount maybe the magnitude of the pressing force applied in the first pressingoperation. The controller may change a size of the button on the displaysection in accordance with the progress of the timer.

The controller may display on the display section a remaining time ofthe timer as a difference of the size of the button before and after thefirst pressing operation is acquired.

The operating section may acquire a first drag operation on the buttonas a third operation, and the controller may change a first parameterset for the imaging section in accordance with a distance of a movementof the button on the display section caused by the first drag operation.

The operating section may acquire a second drag operation on the buttonas a fourth operation, the second drag operation having a directiondiffering from that of the first drag operation, and the controller maychange a second parameter set for the imaging section in accordance witha distance of a movement of the button on the display section caused bythe second drag operation.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided an information processing method including displaying an iconfor controlling an imaging section, the imaging section being configuredto image an object, acquiring a first operation and a second operationon the icon, and setting, when the first operation has been acquired, atimer in accordance with an operation amount of the first operation andchanging a display of the icon in accordance with a progress of thetimer, and causing, when the second operation has been acquired or whenthe timer has expired, the imaging section to image the object.

According to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided a program for causing a computer to execute processes ofdisplaying an icon for controlling an imaging section, the imagingsection being configured to image an object, acquiring a first operationand a second operation on the icon, and setting, when the firstoperation has been acquired, a timer in accordance with an operationamount of the first operation and changing a display of the icon inaccordance with a progress of the timer, and causing, when the secondoperation has been acquired or when the timer has expired, the imagingsection to image the object.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above,an imaging process can be freely controlled through an intuitiveoperation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of an information processingdevice in accordance with the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the function and the configuration ofthe information processing device in accordance with the sameembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen at theinitial state in accordance with the same embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the operation screen when atimer is set in accordance with the same embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen when atimer is set in accordance with the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen before aparameter is set in accordance with the third embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the operation screen after aparameter is set in accordance with the same embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a process in accordance withthe same embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the function and the configuration ofan information processing device in accordance with the fourthembodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen inaccordance with the same embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that,in this specification and the appended drawings, structural elementsthat have substantially the same function and structure are denoted withthe same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of thesestructural elements is omitted.

The description will be given in the following order.

1. First Embodiment

-   -   1-1. Device Configuration    -   1-2. Operation on Operation Screen

2. Second Embodiment

3. Third Embodiment

-   -   3-1. Operation on Operation Screen    -   3-2. Process Flow    -   3-3. Variation

4. Fourth Embodiment

-   -   4-1. Device Configuration    -   4-2. Operation on Operation Screen    -   4-3. Variation

5. Supplement

1. First Embodiment

First, the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

1-1. Device Configuration

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of an information processingdevice 100 in accordance with the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the information processing device 100includes an imaging section 110 and a touchscreen 140.

The imaging section 110 images an object. In the example shown in thedrawing, an object that is imaged by the imaging section 110 is a user.However, an object that is imaged can be a person or an object otherthen the user. The imaging section 110 can capture either a still imageor a moving image of the object.

The touchscreen 140 displays an operation screen 300 for the user, andacquires an operation of the user on the operation screen 300. The usercontrols the imaging section 110 by operating the operation screen 300via the touchscreen 140. The operation screen 300 includes a shutterbutton 310 and a target image 320. The details of the touchscreen 140and the operation screen 300 are described below.

Although the information processing device 100 is shown as a photoframe-type terminal device herein, the present disclosure is not limitedthereto, and thus, the information processing device 100 can be a widevariety of devices such as a PC, a portable terminal, a digital camera,or a television. Among them, examples of the PC, the portable terminal,and the digital camera are described below.

When the information processing device 100 is a PC, the PC can be of anytype such as a desktop PC, a notebook-sized PC, or a tablet PC. In thiscase, the imaging section 110 is a camera that is built in the PC or isexternally attached to the PC via a USB (Universal Serial Bus). Examplesof the imaging section 110 include a so-called Web camera that images auser who is operating the PC. The touchscreen 140 is a display that isbuilt in the PC or is externally attached to the PC via a DVI (DigitalVisual Interface) or the like. However, the touchscreen 140 can bereplaced with a display without a touchscreen function and a pointingdevice such as a mouse or a tablet. The operation screen 300 is a screentypified by application software of the PC, and is displayed on a partof or the whole of the touchscreen 140. Alternatively, the operationscreen 300 can be displayed as a part of a screen that is displayed byapplication software including other functions such as chat software.

When the information processing device 100 is a portable terminal,examples of the portable terminal include a portable phone, a PDA(Personal Digital Assistant), and a portable game machine. In such acase, the imaging section 110 is a camera that is built in or isexternally attached to the portable terminal. The touchscreen 140 is adisplay portion of the portable terminal. A plane on which the imagingsection 110 is disposed and a plane on which the touchscreen 140 isdisposed can be either the same plane or opposite planes. The operationscreen 300 is a screen that is displayed by control software orapplication software of the portable terminal, and is displayed on apart of or the whole of the touchscreen 140.

When the information processing device 100 is a digital camera, theimaging section 110 is a portion that includes a lens, an image sensor,and the like of the digital camera. The touchscreen 140 is a touchscreenprovided on the digital camera. In a typical digital camera, a plane onwhich the imaging section 110 is disposed is opposite to a plane onwhich the touchscreen 140 is disposed. The operation screen 300 is ascreen that is displayed by control software or the like of the digitalcamera, and is typically displayed on the entire touchscreen 140.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the function and the configuration ofthe information processing device 100 in accordance with the firstembodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 2, theinformation processing device 100 includes the imaging section 110; thetouchscreen 140 including a display 120 and a touch panel 130; acontroller 150; a timer 160; and a storage section 170.

The imaging section 110 captures a still image or a moving image of anobject. The imaging section 110 includes a lens, an image sensor, andthe like, and further includes an actuator, a motor drive, a signalprocessing circuit, and the like as needed. As described above, theimaging section 110 can be either built in the information processingdevice 100 or be externally attached to the information processingdevice 100 via a USB or the like.

The display 120 is a display section on which the operation screen 300including the shutter button 310 for controlling the imaging section 110is displayed. The display 120 can be, for example, a LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay), a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), or an organic EL(Electro-Luminescence) panel. Content displayed on the display 120,which includes the operation screen 300, is controlled by the controller150.

The touch panel 130 is an operation section for acquiring an operationof a user on the shutter button 310 displayed on the display 120. Thetouch panel 130 acquires a drag operation in the horizontal direction ofthe screen, which is a first operation performed on the shutter button310, and a pressing operation, which is a second operation performed onthe shutter button 310. The pressing operation herein refers to anoperation of tapping the shutter button 310 on the touch panel 130.Instead of using the touch panel 130, it is also possible to use apointing device such as a mouse or a tablet, which can acquire theaforementioned two types of operations, as the operation section. Thepressing operation perforated when the operation section is a mouse isan operation of clicking the shutter button 310 displayed on the display120.

The controller 150 controls each section of the information processingdevice 100. The function of the controller 150 can be either implementedwith a circuit configuration including an integrated circuit, forexample, or by execution of a program, which is stored in the storagesection 170, with a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

Herein, the controller 150, when the touch panel 130 has acquired a dragoperation on the shutter button 310, sets the counter value of the timer160 in accordance with the distance of the movement of the shutterbutton 310 caused by the drag operation. For example, the controller 150can determine the counter value of the timer 160 from the movingdistance using a linear function. Alternatively, the controller 150 candetermine the counter value of the timer 160 from the moving distanceusing a nonlinear function such as a logarithmic function.

In addition, the controller 150 changes the display of the shutterbutton 310 on the operation screen 300, which is displayed on thedisplay 120, with the progress of the countdown of the timer 160.Specifically, the controller 150 changes the display position of theshutter button 310 in a direction opposite to the direction of the dragoperation. Thus, the display position of the shutter button 310 changessuch that its movement caused by the drag operation is gradually pulledback with the progress of the countdown of the timer 160.

Further, the controller 150, when the touch panel 130 has acquired apressing operation on the shutter button 310 or when the timer 160 hasexpired, causes the imaging section 110 to execute imaging of theobject. That is, the controller 150 causes the imaging section 110 toexecute imaging of the object with an instruction of the user to executean imaging process or the expiration of the timer 160 as a trigger.

The timer 160 is a countdown timer with a counter. The counter value ofthe timer 160 is set by the controller 150 in accordance with thedistance of the movement of the shutter button 310 caused by a dragoperation on the shutter button 310. After the counter value is set, thetimer 160 starts countdown of the counter value. As the counter value iscounted down by a predetermined amount, the controller 150 changes thedisplay of the shutter button 310 on the display 120. When the timer 160has expired, the controller 150 causes the imaging section 110 toexecute imaging of the object.

The storage section 170 stores data that is necessary to perform aprocess in the information processing device 100. For example, thestorage section 170 stores digital data obtained through an imagingprocess with the imaging section 110. Further, the storage section 170can store a program that implements the function of the controller 150upon being executed by a CPU. The storage section 170 is implemented bycombining as appropriate a storage device such as ROM (Read Only Memory)or RAM (Random Access Memory) and a removable storage medium such as anoptical disc, a magnetic disk, or semiconductor memory. Thus, theaforementioned program can be either a program that is downloaded from anetwork (not shown) and is then stored in the storage device or aprogram that has been stored in the removable storage medium in advance.

1-2. Operation on Operation Screen Operation Screen at Initial State

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the operation screen 300 atthe initial state in accordance with the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Referring to FIG. 3, the operation screen 300 displays theshutter button 310, a timer-settable time display 312, and the targetimage 320.

The following description of the operation on the operation screen isbased on the presumption that a user operates the shutter button 310 byperforming a drag operation and a pressing operation thereon via thetouch panel 130. However, even when the operation section of theinformation processing device 100 is a pointing device such as a mouseor a tablet, the shutter button 310 can be similarly operated through adrag operation and a pressing operation.

The operation screen 300 is displayed on the display 120 by thecontroller 150 to control the imaging section 110 of the informationprocessing device 100. The operation screen 300 can be displayed oneither a part of or the whole of the display 120. In addition, the sizeof the operation screen 300 can be adjustable on the display 120.

The shutter button 310 is an icon for controlling the imaging section110. A user can perform a drag operation and a pressing operation on theshutter button 310 via the touch panel 130. Although the shutter button310 is shown as being approximately rectangular in shape, the shutterbutton 310 can have any shape. Further, the shutter button 310 can bedisplayed three-dimensionally in order to show that it is a button.

The timer-settable time display 312 is displayed as a region where theshutter button 310 can be dragged. In the example shown in the drawing,the timer-sellable time display 312 is displayed on the left side of theshutter button 310 on the screen. This shows that the shutter button 310can be dragged to the left on the screen and that the timer can be setto the time, which is indicated by the timer-settable time display 312,at the maximum.

The target image 320 is an image to be shot by the imaging section 110.The target image 320 is an image that is captured by the imaging section110 at that point in time, and the user can adjust the direction of theimaging section 110 and the timing of the imaging process on the basisof the target image 320.

Herein, when the user has performed a drag operation on the shutterbutton 310 via the touch panel 130, the controller 150 moves the shutterbutton 310 in accordance with the drag operation, and sets the timer 160in accordance with the moving distance. In addition, when the user hasperformed a pressing operation on the shutter button 310 via the touchpanel 130, the controller 150 causes the imaging section 110 to executeimaging of the object. That is, when the user wants to set the timer160, he drags the shutter button 310, whereas when the user wants toimmediately start an imaging process, he presses the shutter button 310.

As described above, two types of operations, which include setting of atimer for the remaining time until the start of an imaging process andexecution of the imaging process, can be performed through two types ofoperations, which include a drag operation and a pressing operation, onthe shutter button 310 that is an icon. Accordingly, the user can easilyand selectively use an imaging process with the timer 160 and a normalimaging process without being aware of the differences of the twooperations.

Operation Screen when Time is Set

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the operation screen 300 whena timer is set in accordance with the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Referring to FIG. 4, the operation screen 300 displays atimer's remaining time display 314 and a timer's remaining timeauxiliary display 316 in addition to the shutter button 310, thetimer-settable time display 312, and the target image 320.

Herein, the shutter button 310 is, in response to a drag operation of auser via the touch panel 130, displayed as having moved to the left onthe screen. The controller 150 of the information processing device 100sets the counter value of the timer 160 in accordance with the movingdistance at this time. As the counter value of the timer 160 is counteddown by a predetermined amount, the shutter button 310 is displayed ashaving moved in a direction opposite to the direction of the dragoperation. Specifically, the shutter button 310 moves such that itsmovement caused by the drag operation is gradually pulled back with theprogress of the countdown of the timer 160. When the shutter button 310has reached its initial display position, the imaging section 110executes an imaging process.

As described above, as the counter value of the timer 160 is set inaccordance with the distance of the movement of the shutter button 310caused by a drag operation, the user can intuitively set the timer 160through an operation with analog visual effects. Accordingly, the usercan intuitively understand that the countdown of the timer 160 is inprogress.

The timer's remaining time display 314 is displayed as a path of themovement of the shutter button 310 caused by a drag operation. That is,the timer's remaining time display 314 indicates a path that starts atthe position of the shutter button 310 on the operation screen 300 atthe initial state shown in FIG. 3 and ends at the position of theshutter button 310 on the screen 300 when the timer is set as shown inFIG. 4. The timer's remaining time display 314 can be displayed in adifferent color from the shutter button 310 and the timer-settable timedisplay 312 so that the timer's remaining time display 314 can be easilydiscerned. In addition, the display of the timer's remaining timedisplay 314 can be changed as the shutter button 310 moves with theprogress of the countdown of the timer 160.

As the timer's remaining time display 314 is displayed as describedabove, the user can intuitively understand the counter value of thetimer 160, that is, the remaining time until the imaging section 110starts an imaging process, as a path of the drag operation of the user.

The timer's remaining time auxiliary display 316 is displayed byquantifying the counter value of the timer 160. The timer's remainingtime auxiliary display 316 can be displayed with the timer's remainingtime display 314 on the operation screen 300 so that the fact that thetimer is set and the remaining time until the start of an imagingprocess is presented to the user with redundancy.

On the aforementioned operation screen 300 on which the timer isoperated, if the user performs a drag operation on the shutter button310 via the touch panel 130, the controller 150 will move the shutterbutton 310 in accordance with the drag operation, and reset the timer160 in accordance with the moving distance. Meanwhile, if the userperforms a pressing operation on the shutter button 310 via the touchpanel 130, the controller 150 will cause the imaging section 110 toexecute imaging of the object. That is, when the user wants to reset thetimer 160, he drags the shutter button 310, whereas when the user wantsto immediately start an imaging process, he presses the shutter button310.

As described above, even when a timer is set, it is still possible toperform a drag operation and a pressing operation on the shutter button310, and thus perform two kinds of operations including a reset of thetimer for counting the remaining time until the start of an imagingprocess and execution of the imaging process. Accordingly, the user caneasily reset the timer through an intuitive operation when he feels thatthe initial timer setting is too long or too short, without the need toperform an operation to cancel the timer. Further, the user can, evenwhen he changes his mind while setting the timer and feels like imagingthe object immediately, easily execute an imaging process through anintuitive operation without the need to perform an operation to cancelthe timer.

In the example described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, theshutter button 310 is initially displayed at a position corresponding toa counter value of zero of the timer. However, the counter value can beinitially set to, for example, two seconds or five seconds. In such acase also, the operation screen 300 at the initial state can display thetimer's remaining time display 314 and the timer's remaining timeauxiliary display 316.

2. Second Embodiment

Next, the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to FIG. 5. The second embodiment of the presentdisclosure differs from the first embodiment in the functions of thecontroller 150 and the timer 160 and in the operation screen 300displayed when the timer is set. However, other functions andconfigurations are approximately the same as those of the firstembodiment. Thus, detailed description thereof is omitted herein.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the operation screen 300 whenthe timer is set in accordance with the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Referring to FIG. 5, the operation screen 300 displays animaging duration display 318 in addition to the shutter button 310, thetimer-settable time display 312, the timer's remaining time display 314,the timer's remaining time auxiliary display 316, and the target image320.

In this embodiment, the imaging section 110 captures a moving image ofan object. The controller 150 sets two types of timers, which include atimer for counting the remaining time until the start of capturing amoving image and a timer indicating the duration time of the capturing,in accordance with the distance of the movement of the shutter button310 caused by drag operations on the shutter button 310 and acquired bythe touch panel 130. Setting of the two types of timers can be realizedby providing the timer 160 with two counters. Alternatively, setting ofthe two types of timers can be realized such that the controller 150first sets the timer 160 to a counter value indicative of the remainingtime until the start of capturing a moving image, and sets the timer 160to, when the timer 160 has expired and the imaging process has started,a counter value indicative of the duration time of the capturing.

On the operation screen 300, the aforementioned two types of timers canalso be set by performing two stages of drag operations on the shutterbutton 310, for example. In that case, the user sets the duration of animaging process by performing a first-stage drag operation, and thensets the remaining time until the start of the imaging process byperforming a second-stage drag operation. Such two-stage drag operationscan be identified when a user's finger has once lifted off the touchpanel 130 or when the user's finger has once stopped on the touch panel130.

As described above, as the two types of timers are set in accordancewith the distance of the movement of the shutter button 310 caused bydrag operations, the user can also intuitively set the duration of animaging process of a moving image through an operation with analogvisual effects.

Herein, the imaging duration display 318 is displayed as a path of themovement of the shutter button 310 caused by a first-stage dragoperation, and the timer's remaining time display 314 is displayed as apath of the movement of the shutter button 310 caused by a second-stagedrag operation. The imaging duration display 318 can be displayed in adifferent color from the timer-settable time display 312 and the timer'sremaining time display 314 so that the imaging duration display 318 canbe easily discerned. In addition, a separator line as shown can bedisplayed between the timer's remaining time display 314 and the imagingduration display 318, and characters like “REC START” can also bedisplayed so that the user can easily perceive the time indicated byeach display. In addition, the display of the imaging duration display318 can be changed with the movement of the shutter button 310 inaccordance with the progress of the countdown of the timer 160.

As described above, displaying the imaging duration display 318 alsoallows the user to intuitively perceive the duration of an imagingprocess of a moving image, as a path of the drag operation.

3. Third Embodiment

Next, the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. The third embodiment of the presentdisclosure differs from the first and second embodiments in the functionof the controller 150 and the display of the operation screen 300.However, other functions and configurations are approximately the sameas those of the first and second embodiments. Thus, detailed descriptionthereof is omitted herein.

3-1. Operation on Operation Screen

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the operation screen 300before a parameter is set in accordance with the third embodiment of thepresent disclosure. Referring to FIG. 6, the operation screen 300displays an angle-of-view setting display 330 in addition to the shutterbutton 310, the timer-sellable time display 312, the timer's remainingtime display 314, the timer's remaining time auxiliary display 316, andthe target image 320.

Herein, a user can perform a drag operation in the vertical direction ofthe screen, which is a third operation, via the touch panel 130, inaddition to a drag operation in the horizontal direction of the screen,which is the first operation on the shutter button 310, and a pressingoperation, which is the second operation on the shutter button 310. Thecontroller 150 changes the angle of view, which is a parameter set forthe imaging section 110, in accordance with the distance of the movementof the shutter button 310 caused by a drag operation in the verticaldirection of the screen. Note that the parameter to be changed can alsobe, for example, luminance, white balance, or the duration of an imagingprocess of a moving image.

As described above, as a drag operation on the shutter button 310, whichis an icon, in the vertical direction of the screen allows a change inthe parameter set for the imaging section, the user can freely adjustthe angle of view, luminance, white balance, the duration of an imagingprocess of a moving image, or the like through an intuitive operationwhen the timer is set or while the timer is set.

The angle-of-view setting display 330 is displayed as a region where theshutter button 310 can be dragged in the vertical direction of thescreen. In the example shown in the drawing, the angle-of-view settingdisplay 330 is displayed on the vertically opposite sides of the shutterbutton 310. This shows that the shutter button 310 can be dragged eitherin the upward direction or the downward direction of the screen, andthat the angle of view set for the imaging section 110 is changed by adrag operation in the vertical direction of the screen. Theangle-of-view setting display 330 can also be accompanied by a characterstring that displays a parameter to be changed. The example herein showsthat a parameter for the angle of view set for the imaging section 110is changed on the basis of a character string that indicates thatdragging the shutter button 310 in the upward direction of the screenwill zoom in the image, and dragging the shutter button 310 in thedownward direction will zoom out the image.

As the angle-of-view setting display 330 is displayed as describedabove, the user can easily understand that a parameter for the angle ofview can be set by performing a drag operation on the shutter button 310in the vertical direction of the screen, and can also easily understandthe relationship between the direction of the drag and anincrease/decrease in the parameter for the angle of view.

Operation Screen after Parameter is Set

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the operation screen 300 aftera parameter is set in accordance with the third embodiment of thepresent disclosure. Referring to FIG. 7, the operation screen 300displays the shutter button 310, the timer-settable time display 312,the timer's remaining time display 314, the timer's remaining timeauxiliary display 316, the target image 320, and the angle-of-viewsetting display 330.

In the example shown in the drawing, the controller 150 moves theshutter button 310 in the vertical direction of the screen in accordancewith the value of a parameter set for the imaging section 110.Specifically, when a drag operation in the downward direction isperformed on the shutter button 310, a parameter for the angle of viewset tor the imaging section 110 is changed. Thus, the controller 150moves the position of the shutter button 310 downward in accordance withthe changed parameter for the angle of view. Herein, as the shutterbutton 310 is displayed such that it moves in the downward direction ofthe screen, the timer-settable time display 312 and the timer'sremaining time display 314 can also be displayed such that they move inthe downward direction of the screen.

As described above, as the shutter button 310 moves in accordance with aparameter set for the imaging section 110, the user can intuitivelyperceive the value of the parameter set for the imaging section 110 andcan easily determine whether to reset the parameter, for example.

On the operation screen 300 on which the parameter has been set asdescribed above, if the user performs a drag operation on the shutterbutton 310 in the vertical direction of the screen via the touch panel130, the controller 150 will move the shutter button 310 in accordancewith the drag operation, and changes the parameter set for the imagingsection 110 again in accordance with the moving distance. It is alsopossible to perform, even on the operation screen 300 with the changedparameter, operations of setting a timer, executing an imaging process,and changing the parameter by performing three types of operations onthe shutter button 310.

As described above, even after a parameter is set, a drag operation inthe vertical direction of the screen can be performed on the shutterbutton 310. Further, as a reset of the parameter is possible, the usercan easily reset the parameter if he feels that the initial setting ofthe parameter is not suitable.

3-2. Process Flow

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a process in accordance withthe third embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 8, aprocess that is executed by the information processing device 100 everypredetermined cycle is shown.

Note that the steps described in the following flowchart include notonly processes that are performed chronologically in accordance with theorder described in the flowchart but also processes that are executed inparallel or individually. In addition, even the order of the steps thatare processed chronologically can be changed as appropriate.

First, the controller 150 determines if the touch panel 130 has acquireda pressing operation on the shutter button 310 (S101). If a pressingoperation is determined to have been acquired, the controller 150 causesthe imaging section 110 to execute an imaging process (step S103), andthen terminates the process. Meanwhile, if a pressing operation is notdetermined to have been acquired, the controller 150 next determines ifthe touch panel 130 has acquired a drag operation on the shutter button310 (step S105).

If a drag operation is determined to have been acquired in step S105,the controller 150 next acquires the amount of the displacement of theshutter button 310 (step S107). Next, the controller 150 determines ifthe acquired drag operation is a drag operation in the verticaldirection of the screen (step S109).

If the drag operation is determined to be a drag operation in thevertical direction of the screen in step S109, the controller 150 nextchanges and resets a parameter for the angle of view that is set for theimaging section 110 in accordance with the amount of the displacement ofthe shutter button 310 acquired in step S107 (step S111), and thenterminates the process. Meanwhile, if the drag operation is notdetermined to be a drag operation in the vertical direction of thescreen, that is, if the drag operation is determined to be a dragoperation in another direction, which is the horizontal direction, ofthe screen, the controller 150 sets the counter value of the timer 160in accordance with the amount of the displacement of the shutter button310 acquired in step S107 (S113), and then terminates the process.

Meanwhile, if a drag operation is not determined to have been acquiredin step S105, the controller 150 determines that there has been nooperation performed on the shutter button 130 via the touch panel 130,and proceeds to a process of using the timer 160. Herein, the controller150 first determines if the counter value of the timer 160 is greaterthan zero (step S115).

If the counter value of the timer 160 is determined to be grater thanzero in step S115, the controller 150 determines that the timer forcounting the remaining time until the start of an imaging process isset, and counts down the counter value of the timer 160 by apredetermined amount (step S117). The predetermined amount herein isone. After the countdown of the counter value of the timer 160 in stepS117, the controller 150 determines if the counter value of the timer160 has become zero (step S119).

If the counter value of the timer 160 is determined to be zero in stepS119, the controller 150 determines that the timer 160 has expired, andcauses the imaging section 110 to execute an imaging process (S103), andthen terminates the process. Meanwhile, if the counter value of thetimer 160 is not determined to be zero, the controller 150 terminatesthe process.

Meanwhile, if the counter value of the timer 160 is not determined to begreater than zero, that is, if the counter value of the timer 160 isdetermined to be zero in step S115, the controller 150 determines thatthe timer for counting the remaining time until the start of an imagingprocess is not set, and thus terminates the process.

3-3. Variation

As a variation of this embodiment, the following configuration can beprovided: the controller 150 moves the shutter button 310 in thevertical direction of the screen in accordance with the value of aparameter set for the imaging section 110, and then returns the shutterbutton 310 to the initial position, that is, to the center of thevertical direction of the angle-of-view setting display 330 on thescreen. In such a case, the color of a part of the angle-of-view settingdisplay 330 can be changed, for example, in accordance with the value ofthe parameter set for the imaging section 110 so that the user canperceive the value of the parameter. In addition, the controller 150can, when a timer is set by a drag operation in the horizontal directionof the screen after the parameter is set, hide the angle-of-view settingdisplay 330.

With the configuration in which the shutter button 310 is returned tothe initial position as described above, it is possible to display adisplay element, which is related with the setting of the timer 160, ata fixed place, and thus prevent confusion and operation errors of theuser. Further, it is also possible to provide a configuration in which,after the controller 150 has hidden the angle-of-view setting display330, a settings display for another parameter such as luminance, whitebalance, or the duration of an imaging process of a moving image isdisplayed, and such parameter is changed by a drag operation in thevertical direction of the screen.

4. Fourth Embodiment

Next, the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. Note that the fourth embodiment of thepresent disclosure differs from the third embodiment in the functions ofa touch panel 230 and a controller 250 and in the display of anoperation screen 400. However, as other functions and configurations areapproximately the same as those of the third embodiment, detaileddescription thereof is omitted herein.

4-1. Device Configuration

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the informationprocessing device 200 in accordance with the fourth embodiment of thepresent disclosure. Referring to FIG. 9, the information processingdevice 200 includes an imaging section 110; a touchscreen 240 includinga display 120 and a touch panel 230; the controller 250; a timer 160;and a storage section 170.

The information processing device 200 can be a variety of devices suchas a PC, a portable terminal, a digital camera, or a television as withthe information processing device 100 in accordance with the thirdembodiment.

The touch panel 230 is an operation section for acquiring an operationof a user on a shutter button 410 displayed on the display 120. Thetouch panel 230 can acquire the magnitude of pressing force of apressing operation of the user on the shutter button 410, The touchpanel 230 acquires a pressing operation (a first operation on theshutter button 410) with pressing force whose magnitude is greater thanor equal to a predetermined value, a pressing operation (a secondoperation) with pressing force whose magnitude is less than thepredetermined value, a drag operation (a third operation) in thevertical direction of the screen, and a drag operation (a fourthoperation) in the horizontal direction of the screen. The touch panel230 can be replaced with a pointing device such as a tablet that canacquire the magnitude of pressing force.

The controller 250 controls each section of the information processingdevice 100. The controller 250 can be either implemented with hardwareusing a circuit configuration including an integrated circuit, forexample, or be implemented with software using a CPU (Central ProcessingUnit) that executes a program stored in the storage section 170.

Herein, the controller 250 can, when the touch panel 230 has acquired apressing operation with pressing force whose magnitude is greater thanor equal to a predetermined value on the shutter button 410, sets thecounter value of the timer 160 in accordance with the magnitude of thepressing force applied in the pressing operation. For example, thecontroller 250 can determine the counter value of the timer 160 from themagnitude of the pressing force using a linear function. Alternatively,the controller 250 can determine the counter value of the timer 160 fromthe magnitude of the pressing force using a nonlinear function such as alogarithmic function.

in addition, the controller 250 reduces the display size of the shutterbutton 410 to less than the initial display size, in accordance with theset counter value of the timer 160. Further, the controller 250gradually increases the display size of the shutter button 410 up to theinitial display size with the progress of the countdown of the timer160.

Meanwhile, the controller 250, when the touch panel 230 has acquired apressing operation with pressing force whose magnitude is less than thepredetermined value on the shutter button 410 or when the timer 160 hasexpired, causes the imaging section 110 to execute imaging of theobject. That is, the controller 250 causes the imaging section 110 toexecute an imaging process with an instruction of the user to execute animaging process or the expiration of the timer 160 as a trigger.

Further, the controller 250 changes a parameter for the angle of view,which has been set for the imaging section 110, in accordance with thedistance of the movement of the shutter button 410 caused by a dragoperation performed on the shutter button 410 in the vertical directionof the screen and acquired by the touch panel 230.

Furthermore, the controller 250 changes a parameter for luminance, whichhas been set for the imaging section 110, in accordance with thedistance of the movement of the shutter button 410 caused by a dragoperation performed on the shutter button 410 in the horizontaldirection of the screen and acquired by the touch panel 230.

Note that the parameter, which is changed by the controller 250 inaccordance with a drag operation performed on the shutter button 410 inthe vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the screen, can beselected from among any of the angle of view, luminance, white balance,the duration of an imaging process of a moving image, and the like.

4-2. Operation on Operation Screen

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the operation screen 400 inaccordance with the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.Referring to FIG. 10, the operation screen 400 displays the shutterbutton 410, a timer's remaining time display 414, a timer's remainingtime auxiliary display 416, the target image 320, the angle-of-viewsetting display 330, and a luminance setting display 440.

The shutter button 410 is an icon for controlling the imaging section110. A user can perform a pressing operation, a drag operation in thevertical direction of the screen, and a drag operation in the horizontaldirection of the screen on the shutter button 410 via the touch panel230. Although the shutter button 410 is shown as being approximatelycircular in shape, the shutter button 410 can have any shape. Further,the shutter button 410 can be displayed three-dimensionally in order toshow that it is a button.

Herein, when a user has performed a pressing operation with pressingforce whose magnitude is greater than or equal to a predetermined valueon the shutter button 410 via the touch panel 230, the controller 250sets the timer 160 in accordance with the magnitude of the pressingforce. Meanwhile, when the user has performed a pressing operation withpressing three whose magnitude is less than the predetermined value onthe shutter button 410 via the touch panel 203, the controller 250causes the imaging section 110 to execute imaging of the object. Thatis, when the user wants to set the timer, he strongly presses theshutter button 410, whereas when the user wants to immediately start animaging process, he lightly presses the shutter button 410.

As described above, two types of operations, which include setting of atimer for counting the remaining time until the start of an imagingprocess and execution of the imaging process, can be performed throughtwo types of pressing operations with strong pressing force and lightpressing three on the shutter button 410 that is an icon. Accordingly;the user can easily and selectively use a timer-based imaging processand a normal imaging process without being aware of the differences ofthe two operations.

Herein, the shutter button 410 is displayed by being shrunk to less thanthe initial display size in accordance with the counter value of thetimer 160 that is set in accordance with the magnitude of pressing forceof the pressing operation of the user. After that, the shutter button410 is gradually enlarged with the progress of the countdown of thetimer 160. When the shutter button 410 has been enlarged to its initialdisplay size, the imaging section 110 executes an imaging process.

As described above, as the counter value of the timer 160 is set inaccordance with the magnitude of pressing force of a pressing operationon the shutter button 410 and the shutter button 410 is displayed bybeing shrunk in accordance with the set counter value, the user canintuitively set the timer 160 through an operation with analog visualeffects. Further, as the shutter button 410 is enlarged with theprogress of the countdown of the timer 160, the user can intuitivelyunderstand that the countdown of the timer 160 is in progress.

The timer's remaining time display 414 is displayed as the difference inthe display size of the shutter button 410 before and after a pressingoperation is performed. The timer's remaining time display 414 can bedisplayed in a different color from the shutter button 410 so that thetimer's remaining time display 414 can be easily discerned. The displayof the timer's remaining time display 414 can also change as the shutterbutton 410 is enlarged with the progress of the countdown of the timer160.

As the timer's remaining time display 414 is displayed as describedabove, the user can intuitively perceive the counter value of the timer160, namely, the remaining time until the imaging section 110 starts animaging process, as a region that remains around the shutter button 410.

The timer's remaining time auxiliary display 416 is displayed byquantifying the counter value of the timer 160. The timer's remainingtime auxiliary display 416 can be displayed with the timer's remainingtime display 414 on the operation screen 300 so that the fact that thetimer is set as well as the remaining time until the start of an imagingprocess is presented to the user with redundancy. When the shutterbutton 410 has a certain size, the timer's remaining time auxiliarydisplay 416 can be displayed within the shutter button 410 as shown.

In addition, the user can perform a drag operation in the verticaldirection of the screen, which is the third operation on the shutterbutton 410, and a drag operation in the horizontal direction of thescreen, which is the fourth operation on the shutter button 410, via thetouch panel 130. The controller 250 changes the angle of view, which isa first parameter set for the imaging section 110, in accordance withthe distance of the movement of the shutter button 310 caused by thedrag operation in the vertical direction of the screen. Further, thecontroller 150 changes the luminance, which is a second parameter setfor the imaging section 110, in accordance with the distance of themovement of the shutter button 410 caused by the drag operation in thehorizontal direction of the screen. The first and second parameters tobe changed can be selected from among any of the angle of view,luminance, white balance, the duration of an imaging process of a movingimage, and the like.

As described above, as a plurality of parameters set for the imagingsection can be changed by performing drag operations on the shutterbutton 410, which is an icon, in the vertical direction and thehorizontal direction of the screen, the user can freely adjust the angleof view, luminance, white balance, the duration of an imaging process ofa moving image, and the like through intuitive operations when the timeris set or while the timer is set.

The luminance setting display 440 is displayed as a region where theshutter button 410 can be dragged in the horizontal direction of thescreen. This shows that the shutter button 410 can be dragged to boththe right and left on the screen and that the luminance set for theimaging section 110 is changed by a drag operation in the horizontaldirection of the screen. The luminance setting display 440 can also beaccompanied by a character string that displays the parameter to bechanged as shown.

As the luminance setting display 440 is displayed as described above,the user can easily understand that the parameter for luminance can beset by performing a drag operation on the shutter button 410 in thehorizontal direction of the screen, and can also easily understand therelationship between the direction of the drag and an increase/decreasein the parameter for luminance.

Further, the shutter button 410 can be displayed by being moved in thevertical direction or the horizontal direction of the screen inaccordance with the value of a parameter set for the imaging section110. In the example shown in the drawing, a parameter for the angle ofview that is set for the imaging section 110 is changed as the shutterbutton 410 is dragged upward. Thus, the position of the shutter button410 is displayed as having moved upward with the changed parameter forthe angle of view. Herein, the luminance setting display 440 can besimilarly displayed as having moved in the upward direction of thescreen as the shutter button 410 is displayed as having moved in theupward direction of the screen.

4.3 Variation

As a variation of this embodiment, a pressing operation, which lasts fora duration that is greater than or equal to a predetermined time, can beacquired as the first operation on the shutter button 410, while apressing operation, which lasts for a duration that is less than thepredetermined time, can be acquired as the second operation on theshutter button 410. Further, the controller 250 can be configured to setthe counter value of the timer 160 in accordance with the duration ofthe first operation.

As described above, using the duration of a pressing operation insteadof using the magnitude of pressing force of the pressing operationallows the operation screen 400, which is similar to the operationscreen of this embodiment, to be displayed even when the touch panel 230is not capable of acquiring pressing force of a pressing operation of auser and when the touch panel 230 is replaced with a pointing devicesuch as a mouse.

5. Supplement

Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have beendescribed in detail with reference to the appended drawings, the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto. It is obvious to those skilled in theart that various modifications or variations are possible insofar asthey are within the technical scope of the appended claims or theequivalents thereof. It should be understood that such modifications orvariations are also within the technical scope of the presentdisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing device comprising: an imaging section configured to image an object; a display section configured to display at least an icon for controlling the imaging section; an operation section configured to acquire a first operation and a second operation; and a controller configured to, when the operation section has acquired the first operation, set a timer in accordance with an operation amount of the first operation and change a display of the icon on the display section in accordance with a progress of the timer, and configured to cause the imaging section to image the object or to cancel the timer when the operation section has acquired the second operation, and further configured to cause the imaging section to image the object when the timer has expired, wherein the icon is a button, the first operation is a first drag operation on the button, the second operation is a pressing operation, the operation amount is a distance of a movement of the button on the display section caused by the first drag operation, and the controller changes a display position of the button on the display section along a direction of the first drag operation in accordance with the progress of the timer.
 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the controller displays a remaining time of the timer on the display section as a path of the movement of the button on the display section caused by the first drag operation.
 3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging section captures a moving image of the object, and the controller sets a timer for a remaining time until a start of capturing the moving image and a timer for a duration time of the capturing in accordance with the distance of the movement of the button on the display section caused by the first drag operation.
 4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the operation section acquires a second drag operation on the button as a third operation, the second drag operation having a direction differing from that of the first drag operation, and the controller changes a parameter set for the imaging section in accordance with a distance of a movement of the button on the display section caused by the second drag operation.
 5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein a manipulation of the icon by performing the first operation thereupon initiates the controller to set the timer for initiating a delayed imaging of the object, and a manipulation of the icon by performing the second operation thereupon initiates the controller to trigger an immediate taking of the image of the object.
 6. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein the timer is set to a time value based on a distance the icon is moved during the manipulation in performing the first operation.
 7. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein the timer is set to a time value based on a pressure or a duration the icon is pressed during the manipulation in performing the first operation.
 8. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first operation and the second operation are performed on the icon by manipulating the icon through touching the display section by an operating object at a location on the display section at which the icon is displayed.
 9. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein in the first operation, the icon is dragged along a first sliding axis to initiate the timer, and a time value of the timer is set based upon the distance the icon is dragged from a starting location on the first sliding axis, and wherein in the second operation, the icon s pressed, and in response, the imaging section is triggered to immediately take the image of the object.
 10. The information processing device according to claim. 9, wherein the icon is dragged by an operating object contacting a surface of the display section upon which the icon is displayed, and wherein the timer is initiated when the operating object releases the icon by detaching contact from the surface, at a target location on the first sliding axis.
 11. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein in the first operation, the icon is dragged along a first sliding axis to initiate the timer, and a time value of the timer is set based upon the distance the icon is dragged from a starting location on the first sliding axis, and wherein in the second operation, a touching is made upon the display section, and in response, the timer is canceled.
 12. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first operation and the second operation are different operations.
 13. An information processing device comprising: an imaging section configured to image an object; a display section configured to display at least an icon for controlling the imaging section; an operation section configured to acquire a first operation and a second operation; and a controller configured to, when the operation section has acquired the first operation, set a timer in accordance with an operation amount of the first operation and change a display of the icon on the display section in accordance with a progress of the timer, and configured to cause the imaging section to image the object or to cancel the timer when the operation section has acquired the second operation, and further configured to cause the imaging section to image the object when the timer has expired, wherein the icon is a button, the first operation a first pressing operation on the button with a pressing force whose magnitude is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the second operation is a second pressing operation, the operation amount is the magnitude of the pressing force applied in the first pressing operation, and the controller changes a size of the button on the display section in accordance with the progress of the timer.
 14. The information processing device according to claim 13, wherein the controller displays on the display section a remaining time of the timer as a difference of the size of the button before and after the first pressing operation is acquired.
 15. The information processing device according to claim 13, wherein the operation section acquires a first drag operation on the button as a third operation, and the controller changes a first parameter set for the imaging section in accordance with a distance of a movement of the button on the display section caused by the first drag operation.
 16. The information processing device according to claim 15, wherein the operation section acquires a second drag operation on the button as a fourth operation, the second drag operation having a direction differing from that of the first drag operation, and the controller changes a second parameter set for the imaging section in accordance with a distance of a movement of the button on the display section caused by the second drag operation.
 17. The information processing device according to claim 13, wherein the second pressing operation is performed on the button with a pressing force whose magnitude is less than the predetermined value
 18. An information processing method comprising: displaying an icon for controlling an imaging section, the imaging section being configured to image an object; acquiring a first operation and a second operation; and setting, when the first operation has been acquired, a timer in accordance with an operation amount of the first operation and changing a display of the icon in accordance with a progress of the timer, and causing, when the second operation has been acquired, the imaging section to image the object or to cancel the timer, and further causing, when the timer has expired, the imaging section to image the object, wherein the icon is displayed as a button, the first operation is a first drag operation on the button, the second operation is a pressing operation, the operation amount is a distance of a movement of the displayed button caused by the first drag operation, and a display position of the button is changed along a direction of the first drag operation in accordance with the progress of the timer.
 19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having embodied thereon a program, which when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method, the method comprising: displaying an icon for controlling an imaging section, the imaging section being configured to image an object; acquiring a first operation and a second operation; and setting, when the first operation has been acquired, a timer in accordance with an operation amount of the first operation and changing a display of the icon in accordance with a progress of the timer, and causing, when the second operation has been acquired, the imaging section to image the object or to cancel the timer, and further causing, when the timer has expired, the imaging section to image the object, wherein the icon is displayed as a button, the first operation is a first drag operation on the button, the second operation is a pressing operation, the operation amount is a distance of a movement of the displayed button caused by the first drag operation, and a display position of the button is changed along a direction of the first drag operation in accordance with the progress of the timer. 